Plural Nouns and Articles
In German, all plural nouns use 'die' as the definite article, regardless of the gender of the singular form.
There is no indefinite article for plural nouns (no 'some' or 'a few' equivalent in German).
This lesson covers how articles work with plural nouns in all cases.
Explanation
Definite article for all plurals: 'die' (nominative/accusative), 'den' (dative), 'der' (genitive).
Examples: 'die Tische' (the tables), 'die Bücher' (the books), 'die Frauen' (the women).
No indefinite article for plural: Instead of 'some books', say 'Bücher' (books) or 'einige Bücher' (some books).
In all cases, plural articles are the same regardless of the original gender: masculine 'der Mann' → 'die Männer', feminine 'die Frau' → 'die Frauen', neuter 'das Kind' → 'die Kinder'.
Plural Articles - All Cases
| Case | Definite Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | die Tische | the tables |
| Accusative | die | die Tische | the tables |
| Dative | den | den Tischen | to/for the tables |
| Genitive | der | der Tische | of the tables |
Examples
Die Tische sind groß.
The tables are big. (nominative plural)
Ich sehe die Bücher.
I see the books. (accusative plural)
Ich gebe den Kindern das Spielzeug.
I give the children the toy. (dative plural)
Die Farbe der Blumen ist schön.
The color of the flowers is beautiful. (genitive plural)
Common Mistakes
der Tische
die Tische
All plural nouns use 'die' as definite article, not 'der' or 'das'.
ein Tische
Tische (or einige Tische)
There is no indefinite article for plural. Use 'Tische' alone or 'einige Tische' (some tables).
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.